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Subject Area: Music
Subject Area: Religion

Cantata CXXVI.: Erhalt’ uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort. Sexagesima Sunday ( c. 1740) - Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach’s Chorals, vol. 2 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Cantatas and Motetts [1917]

Edition used:

Bach’s Chorals. Part I: 2 The Hymns and Hymn Melodies of the Cantatas and Motetts, by Charles Sanford Terry (Cambridge University Press, 1915-1921). 3 vols. Vol. 2.

Part of: Bach’s Chorals, 3 vols.

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Cantata CXXVI.

Erhalt’ uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort. Sexagesima Sunday (c. 1740)

A Choral Cantata, on Luther’s Hymn, “Erhalt’ uns, Herr” (see Cantata 6). Bach’s association (in the concluding Choral of the Cantata) of Luther’s “Verleih’ uns Frieden” with the Hymn, “Erhalt’ uns, Herr,” was in accordance with customary use. In many parts of Germany the stanza was sung immediately after the sermon, either by itself, or in association with Luther’s “Erhalt’ uns.” For the melody of the latter Hymn, which Bach uses in the first and third movements of the Cantata, see Cantata 6.

(a)

The words of the opening movement are the first stanza of Luther’s “Erhalt’ uns, Herr”:

  • Erhalt’ uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort,
  • Und steur’ des Papsts und Turken Mord,
  • Die Jesum Christum, deinen Sohn,
  • Stürzen wollen von seinem Thorn1 .

  • B.G. xxvi. 113.

Form. Choral Fantasia (Tromba, 2 Ob., Strings, Continuo)2 .

(b)

The Choral words of the third movement are the third stanza of Luther’s “Erhalt’ uns, Herr”:

  • Gott heil’ger Geist, du Troster werth,
  • Gieb dein’m Volk einerlei Sinn auf Erd’.
  • Steh’ bei uns in der letzten Noth,
  • Gleit’ uns in’s Leben aus dem Tod.

  • B.G. xxvi. 126.

Form. “Recitativ,” or Dialogus, for Tenor and Alto (Continuo), the Choral melody and Recitativo passages being shared by both voices.

(c)

The words and melody of the concluding Choral are those of Luther’s Hymn, “Verleih’ uns Frieden gnädiglich,” with its additional stanza, “Gieb unserm Fürst’n” (see Cantata 42):

    • Verleih’ uns Frieden gnadiglich,
    • Herr Gott, zu unsern Zeiten;
    • Es ist ja doch1 kein And’rer nicht,
    • Der für uns konnte streiten,
    • Denn du, unser Gott, alleine.
    • Gieb unsern Fürst’n und aller Obrigkeit
    • Fried’ und gut Regiment,
    • Dass wir unter ihnen
    • Ein geruh’g2 und stilles Leben führen mögen
    • In aller Gottseligkeit und Ehrbarkeit. Amen.

    • B.G. xxvi. 131.

Form. Simple (Tromba, 2 Ob., Strings, Continuo). Choralgesänge, No. 321.

[1 ] 1543 Wolten sturtzen von deinem thron.

[2 ] See Spitta, iii. 101, on the form of the movement.

[1 ] 1535 denn.

[2 ] 1566 geruhlich.